Heinrich August Rau Fine Violin Bow – Markneukirchen circa 1900-1910

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We have a gorgeous sterling silver mounted violin bow with a tortoise shell frog made by August Rau before World War I. August Rau (1866-1951) was an important maker in the history of German bows. This is an excellent example of his bow work and his technical and artistic execution. August Rau bows receive much attention because of how his bows play for sure. He also received accolades because of whom he took the time to study with. He was not a maker who took off for France to learn a different set of techniques and feel the need to associate his name with whom he had worked with in Paris. He remained in the famous creative town of Markneukirchen and came up through the ranks to become a fine and respected maker. August Rau apprenticed to the Nürnberger shop and then Wilhelm Knopf, who was also an employee of Weichold before establishing his own business in Markneukirchen. Rau opened his own workshop in 1890 in Markneukirchen. He had two sons: Charles, who was killed in WW I in 1914 and his second son Walter, who worked for a time with his dad and left the profession in 1920.

We have completely gone over the bow here in our workshop and only had to cut a new thumb leather for the bow. The bow shows off the unusually skilled craftsmanship of this master maker. The August Rau stamp without an arrow indicates that the bow was made before World War I. The pernambuco is a medium red/brown color, octagonal in section, and has been beautifully planned and well-proportioned. The edges of the stick, the octagon facet edges, have been lightly rounded by the maker. The bow is awesome and can handle a strong player’s touch. The stick is firm and intricate off the string articulations were a breeze. The bow is in excellent condition. This bow is a Wow! and will bring out the core of an instrument. A find for a serious player.

Weight fully haired 60.8 grams